The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-09
GRANT IN PEACE.
By GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.

After Grant became President he did not for
some weeks, occupy the executive mansion as
residence, but Of course, the official business
was transacted there. His first official recep-
ton for the diplomatic corps 1t was
not very formal / had called on the various
chiefs of legation at his request and notified
them that the President and Mrs Grant would re-
ceive the members of the corps and their families
on certain afternoon. 1t was desirable that
the new President should make their acquaint-
ance. and this WAS the democratic substitute for
what in Europe would have been court.
/ went in the Presidents open carriage, which
was a conspicuous light-coored vehicle. and when
i visited the Haytien representative my arrival
created commotion. | suspect that preceding
administrations had hardly accorded the same
recognition to the follows Of the freedmen, and
the dusky democrat had perhaps not long been
used to considering himself an ambassador. At
any rate when entered and made Known my
rand, the diplomatist rose and busted my chair.
Souououe himself began life as servant.
Washburne, the Secretary of State for week,
had already given up his place to Fish, VINO had
not lived in Washington for many years. and
was therefore unacquainted with the foreign
representatives. AS l knew them all. /
lected to introduce them to Mr. Fish, who then
made the presentation to the President. They
came, many Of them in morning dress, and
some thought rather too hopespun in their at
tire. In fact, more than one member of the
British legation affected an indifference to
etiquette in regard to the President and his
family that was more democratic than
even democrats approved. l remember Lady
Thornton saying to at party at Mrs. Fish's,
when Mrs Grant was present: "How different
all this would he in England! There nobody
would dream of being seated while the Queen
was standing" Yet my lady remained in her
chair when the wife oe the President entered
the room. and a good many Americana rose
doubt, however, II at that time Lady Thornton
had ever been at court in London. was as
sured in England that this wife of diplomatist
once declared she had met only two ladies in all
America, whereupon genuine aristocrat ex-
claimed: 'But Lady Thornton is hardly judge
r--she has known few at home." Her lady
ship, you see, was born in the middle class.
General Grant, however, as President, de-
sired to be recognized head of the state; he
was always served first at his table, and of
course preceded everybody. He, himself, de-
assumed much any foreign sovereign, or
any host at home. the right to place the guests
as he chose He insisted always on making a
distinction for personal reasons if he pleased;
though he regarded public station and public
services, he yet held that if he preferred to pay
anyone compliment he was at liberty to do SO.
At bridal dinner have known him place the
newly married man on the right of Mrs. Grant,
although the Secretary of State was present,
while he himself took in the bride from
among a company that included the wives OF
Senators and Cabinet ministers. So, too he
sometimes regulated the precedence of foreign
ministers without regard to the Almanach de
Gotha or the Congress of Vienna, but according
TO a certain code OF his own. This 1t is true.
was before he had been abroad. Had there been
a third term after his European experiences,
am inclined to think he would have deferred te
the diplomatic idea But he had feeling tina,
as President it was for him to determine, and he
noted even in eteuettes without fear or anxiety
He thought that he made the etiquette, and
don't why President has not the right az
well as any potentate Of another sort.
Up to this time the President had never Wis
ited or dined out gone to any private parties
but Grant declared at he did not intend tt
be Gagged because ne chief magistrate He
accepted the invitations of his Cabinet and Of
few Others either especial friends or person:
whom he wished to honor, Yet he refused
to return the visit OF the of the Queer
of England when Prince Arthur, as he was ther
called. the Duke of Connaught now. il
Washington. / was In America at the time ant
was anxious that Grant should make the visit
] proved TO him that soveregns abroad pait
such compliments to members of roya
houses; but he aid not think the democratic
head of the state should recognize roya
boy of nineteen In this way. The British min
lister was especially eager for the ceremony t.
he performed. but Grant persisted in his re
fusa He went, however, to the ball given /,
the Princes honor and be invited the youth t
a dinner, on each occasion, giving him Mrs
Grant for Q partner, but he maintained tina
democratic dignity would not allow him to max
the formal call. He seemed to think this wou
be a recognition of the royal principle which
was imperative in him to deny.
/ remember that afterward in England thi
same young man never called on General Grant
'Tis true he was not in London, but he was no
a days journey away, and having been warm
~ received in America, the absence of the civ
ilty seemed significant Lady Augusta Stanley
warm personal friend of the Queen, CORE
sponded with me while the Prince was in Amer
ica, and knowing that l was on duty at To
White House, she asked me to do what I coul
TO make the whole visit successful After b
left / wrote to her stating that the Prince ha
made good impression, and Lady Augusta r,
piled expressing her Majesty's qualification, S
that | fancy the lack of the Presidents Wis
gave no umbrage Still, it may be that jess
Grants experience at Windsor was til
corollary of the Princes visit unreturneC
remained at the White House during tn
first three months of Grants administration
then was four months in England. and afte
ward on duty again ut the executive manso
from October until May. After that was onl
there as visitor few occasions in 1875
that my recollections Of the life at the Whit
House are mostly those of the first ara secon
IF I fly
Cabinet III power and their families in position
Some of these, people Of undoubted ability ar
character, yet long unfamiliar with the life
the great world, acquired th
ease Of manner which is 50 exqisite whetb,
the gift of nature the result of ar
but others were persons early used to elega'
associations and fitted 70 adorn the position
they enjoyed. But Mrs Grant was like the &c
aral-a nnnd dnal Of unto i,,a tnir ,ra